How To Make Healthy Dog Treats With Left-Over Pumpkin

Hot off the heels of a great K-9 Pumpkin Contest, we’d like to take a moment to talk about the logical next question… what do I do with the left-over Halloween pumpkins?

Pumpkins are not typically thought of as a healthy super food but in fact, pumpkin has many health benefits for you and your dog – and best of all, few dogs can turn it down!

For dogs, pumpkin puree provides a great source of natural vitamin A, potassium and healthy fiber. This fiber helps maintain regular bowel movements and is also a great natural remedy for mild diarrhea and constipation. Our good friends over at the Conservation Canines put pure pumpkin puree in Tucker’s breakfast before spending a day on a boat at sea because it settles his stomach and ensures he will have thicker stool on the boat – read about it HERE.

See below to learn how to turn that left-over pumpkin into puree. You can also use canned puree if you don’t have any pumpkins around – just check the ingredients label and make sure there are no added sugar or sweeteners. We also do not recommend using pumpkin pie filling as it contains too much added sugar and other additives that may be unhealthy for your dog.

Once you make your puree (or buy pure canned pumpkin puree), either top off regular meals with a tablespoon or two (based on your dogs weight) or make delicious dog treats with it. We prefer the treat option. Homemade pumpkin treats make ideal trail snacks for outdoor adventures!

Here’s how to turn that pumpkin into puree:

Preheat oven to 350° degrees F.

Cut your pumpkin into 4-6 large wedges. Place the wedges skin side up on a lightly oiled baking sheet.

Bake for approximately 90 minutes (or until pumpkin is fork tender).

Scoop the flesh out of the skin into a bowl, then mash it or whirl it in a food processor. If the purée is a bit watery, cook in a saucepan over medium heat until some of the moisture has evaporated.

Let cool, then portion into freezer bags or containers and freeze. The purée can be defrosted quickly in the microwave or by placing the frozen bag or container into a bowl of hot (but not boiling) water. Use by itself to help with canine constipation or diarrhea (check with your vet for the amount appropriate for your dog), or use it in your favorite recipe for dog treats!

3 thoughts

Oh well, I definitely agree with this post. To be honest pumpkin is really okay to give as treats to dogs aside from the fact that it is nutritious as well. I heard some vet would recommend as well to give pumpkin to dogs who are quite sick and don’t want to eat. Adding it to a healthy dod treats recipe is technically awesome.